Pattimores Lagoon
Narrawallee Creek Nature Reserve
Overview
Near Ulladulla on the NSW South Coast, tranquil Pattimores Lagoon in Narrawallee Creek Nature Reserve offers a viewing platform for birdwatching with scenic wetland views.
- Type
- Lookouts
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
- Please note
- Remember to take your binoculars if you want to go bird watching or whale watching.
A visit to the tranquil wetlands of Pattimores Lagoon, in Narrawallee Creek Nature Reserve, is a great way to soothe frazzled nerves and immerse yourself in natural beauty. Near Ulladulla, it’s an ideal remote getaway for nature enthusiasts with some of the best birdwatching on the NSW South Coast.
A short flat walk through coastal swamp oak forest and wet heath leads to a viewing platform with scenic water views. Fringed with magnificent paperbarks, the picturesque lagoon literally teems with waterbirds, and you’re likely to see southern emu wren, pied oystercatchers, pelicans and white-faced herons.
If you’re keen to spend the day exploring the waterways and forests of this unique coastal reserve, enjoy a lunch at Conjola Beach picnic area before stepping out on Burrawang track.
Map
Map legend
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/lookouts/pattimores-lagoon/local-alerts
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in Narrawallee Creek Nature Reserve in the South Coast region
Narrawallee Creek Nature Reserve is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Pattimores Lagoon.
Getting there and parking
Pattimores Lagoon is in the Lake Conjola Village precinct of Narrawallee Creek Nature Reserve. To get there from Lake Conjola Entrance Road, turn right onto Boeing Avenue and take the next right again onto Conley Avenue.
Road quality
- Sealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Parking is available on Conley Avenue.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Narrawallee Creek Nature Reserve. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
The NSW South Coast is renowned as a great spot for whale and dolphin watching, so one of these beautiful giants of the sea could well be joining you on your park visit.
Spring
Enjoy tranquil walking along the park's scenic wetlands, indulging in a spot of birdwatching along the way.
Summer
Now is the perfect time to take advantage of the park's coastal location and enjoy fishing and picnicking by the water's edge.
Winter
Warm yourself up with some scenic walking while wildlife-spotting and birdwatching.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
18°C and 24°C
Highest recorded
44.5°C
Winter temperature
Average
8.8°C and 16.2°C
Lowest recorded
5.9°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
May
Driest month
September
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
160.9mm
Maps and downloads
Permitted
Fishing
A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.
Prohibited
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Pattimores Lagoon is in Narrawallee Creek Nature Reserve. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Ancient fishing grounds
The reserve is situated within the traditional lands of the Wanda Wandian people and the Jerrinja Local Aboriginal Land Council. With nearby creeks, lagoons and beaches, this coastal oasis is likely to have been an important food-gathering area. The reserve protects Aboriginal middens and tool-making sites, as well as canoe and shield-making trees.
Diverse landscapes
This unique reserve protects a staggering variety of landscapes in a relatively small area, making it a region of incredible beauty as well as conservation importance. Here you can wander a veritable smorgasbord of woodlands, swamps, lagoons and lakes. Explore the range of landscapes and see if you can spot the changing forests from swamplands to dunes.
- Burrawang track - Conjola Beach to Buckleys Point North of Ulladulla, Burrawang track leads from Conjola Beach to Buckleys Point, offering fantastic fishing and birdwatching in Narrawallee Creek Nature Reserve.
- Pattimores Lagoon Near Ulladulla on the NSW South Coast, tranquil Pattimores Lagoon in Narrawallee Creek Nature Reserve offers a viewing platform for birdwatching with scenic wetland views.
Historic remnants
Between the First and Second World Wars, silica was extensively mined near Pattimore's Lagoon. Now protected, you can wander the remains of the silica mining era and discover cuttings, mounds and even an old tram line that is now being taken back by mother nature. In the early 1900s, as well as a small amount of grazing, there was some selective logging of turpentine and blackbutt from the forests. There are still some tall stumps with notches that show where springboards were placed by the axemen.
Rare nesting grounds
The beaches are some of the most important nesting and feeding areas for the critically endangered hooded plover and endangered pied oystercatcher. These distinctive birds can be seen nesting during spring and summer. This unique reserve protects a type of swamp forest that is dominated by the swamp mahogany, which in turn is an important food source for several threated species including the swift parrot, regent honeyeater and yellow-bellied glider.
- Conjola Beach picnic area Spend the day at Conjola Beach picnic area exploring remote beaches, bushwalking, whale watching and birdwatching, in Narrawallee Creek Nature Reserve, near Lake Conjola Village.
- Narrawallee Inlet walking track Enjoy walking or cycling through the coastal forests of Narrawallee Creek Nature Reserve along Narrwallee Inlet walking track, offering great birdwatching and fishing.